Vegan Chili and Christian Rock

I'm a paradox.  Most vegans are not disciples of Christ and most disciples of Christ are not vegan but full blown carnivores bent on filling their arteries with saturated fats and cholesterol.  I happen to be both (and to top it off, I'm a libertarian!).  Okay, I guess I'm really not a vegan (as I've said before) but I do follow a plant-strong diet, I don't eat meat, dairy, fish, eggs or any animal products.  I'm closer to vegan than not vegan...anyway I digress.

When I first began following Christ I was "not in the choir" if you know what I mean.  One of my favorite past times was listening to music and going to concerts.  My musical tastes evolved (or I guess devolved depending on who is judging) but I never listened to gospel type music prior to following Christ.  Now I listen to and enjoy both. I was just never exposed to good gospel music.  (I'm looking at you Israel Houghton, Jesus Culture, Rock and Roll Worship Circus, Chris Falson, and Third Day, thanks for the tons of good tunes!)

My first concert was Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I've seen dozens of bands including Black Sabbath, Metallica, Dio, Ozzy, Motley Crue, Queensryche...well you get the picture.  Music was a big part of my life and still is.  Music written and performed by Christians has improved DRAMATICALLY over the years.  In the early 90's it was TERRIBLE.  When a good band came around such as Tourniquet inevitably this type of conversation would ensure:

"Man, this song rocks! Who is it?"

"It's Tourniquet.  The song is Vanishing Lessons."

"Wow, it's great.  I wonder why haven't I ever heard this before?"

"You really like it?

"Yea, dude is phenomonal!" 

Then the hammer would drop in kind of a self-righteous, pharisaical way, "It's Christian."

WAH, WAH, WAH

Now as I've turned into a (ahem) vegan I see the same kind of thing happening. 

"Do you like those cupcakes?"

"Yea, they're great!" (just like Tony the Tiger)

Cue smirk and self-righteous tone...."They're vegan."

When can we get over this?  Skillet is music.  Switichfoot is music.  U2 is music.  The Black Keys - music.  My chili, paella, jambalaya, gumbo, fajitas, gnocchi, minestrone, burritos, enchilada, cream of any type of soup, stir fry, and anything else I cook is F.O.O.D.

Please stop saying "pass the vegetarian nachos" or "mmm could I have some more of your vegan tomato bisque soup?" Pass the nachos or could I have more soup is just fine. 

If you have dietary restrictions and you're asking for clarification that is different.  Can we stop sounding self-righteous and pretentious and just enjoy some food?

Before you go would you please crank up that aweome Christian screamo death metal and top off my vegan chai tea though?

Peace Out!

Ready to Bike!

I finally bit the bullet and purchased a bike to ride for my sprint triathlon that is scheduled for July.  I didn't go too high-end on the purchase but spent enough to get me started.  I went with the Trek FX 7.2 which is an entry-level hybrid bike.

It's still a bit cold to ride - at least for me but I have it and now have made a firm financial commitment to train and complete the triathlon.  Real training begins April 1st.

I'm satisfied with my purchase but really don't have any baseline comparison.  I know others spend thousands more than me but I just want to finish the race.  Now it's time to get busy!

Insanity

Einstein is often credited with the following quote: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Whether Einstein actually coined the term is not important. I'm certain we've all fell victim to that area though, right? I'd think to myself, "If I just keep at it I will get the results that I need!" Yet often when we find ourselves in a hole the last thing we do is stop digging! 

I have a work associate that has changed her eating habits and has done a fabulous job of losing weight.  When she first started she was at least 100 pounds over weight.  She started following Weight Watchers and it has been a tremendous blessing in her life.  However, she has now hit a plateua but still has about 35 pounds to lose. 

Unfortunately, she really isn't open to suggestions.  She has no intention of adopting a plant-strong diet - even for a brief period to jump start her metabolism.  When discussing things with her she is confident that she is eating a healthy diet.  She is well-intentioned but very much ill-informed.  For example she told me the other day that coffee was good for my heart.  Really? This is an intelligent person.  However, she is a microcosm of society.  She hears of ONE study that indicates coffee is good for your heart and buys it hook, line and sinker.  The meta analysis is too old school apparently.

We had a conversation the other day and were talking about our love of avocadoes.  She informed me she loves to slice a 1/4 avocado and put it on her fried egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast.  BINGO.  Okay, so you've hit a plateau and are eating fried egg and cheese sandwiches with avacado? I love avacodoes but also realize they are calorically dense.  Combined with fried eggs and cheese? Wow.

If you're experiencing a plateau I recommend a food journal.  Write down everything you eat and see where there might be some holes in your eating.  Better yet, use a food budget.  I kind of hijacked this idea from Dave Ramsey.  He teaches that we should spend our money on paper, on purpose before each month starts.  I say write down what you are going to eat each week on paper on purpose. If it's not on the food budget then don't eat it.

Hopefully fried egg & cheese sandwiches will not be on your budget.

Don't Recreate the Wheel

I came across this article today about becoming vegan.  I'd like to add some things that makes things much simpler, however. 

1. Eating processed foods of any type is inferior.  Chips, soy, tempeh, tofurkey and other "vegan" food products are not the same as eating the stuff packaged by nature.
2. Superfoods - I hate that term.  Well rounded food choices are superior to the so-called superfoods.  Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, pulses, and beans.
3. Still with a whole food plant based diet and you will do well.  These foods can be canned, frozen or fresh.  Eliminate or at least minimize added sugars, salt, and oils. 

Something Like a Guinea Pig

I started and stopped this blog once before.  This current time around things seem to be going smoother.  I still have a steep learning curve and I realize my site is not even close to being one of the best or brightest on the web.  Yet, I still am getting a modest amount of page views on weekly and monthly basis. Here are somethings I want to improve upon:

• Become more intentional in my posts.  Make a long-term schedule and begin to write strategically and systematically.  That's more of my personality so it would be best anyway.  Now, I write extemporaneously and although it can be fun it also is not organized enough for the long haul.
• Photos - Begin shooting my own photos of food I cook.  Now, I use stock photos which is working in the interim but I really want to share some of my masterpieces with you.
• Videos - sometimes the only way to "get" something is to see it in action.  Writing out how to prepare a pomegranate to eat would take for ever but it would be easy to show it, right?
• Professional - I will upgrade to a professional style blog that captures the essense of what I want to accomplish.  I want readers to be able to easily print off recipes and this one doesn't really provide that. I want you to be able to search by recipes or ingredients. 
• Spread the word - I want to make it easy for you to share this site with others via social media or any other outlet.  One day you will want to do that.
• Humor - I want to add some levity to the conversation.  I'm actually a funny guy but much of my writing comes across as serious.  The last thing I want to be is a sullen and serious plant eater.  BORING! Trust me, I'm not so I have some work to do. I'm not mad at the world and don't have a vendetta against carnivores.
• Cartoons - who doesn't enjoy a good cartoon?  I have two children that are great artists and I want to get them involved with an ongoing strip.  Maybe some self-deprecating satire aimed at pretentious plant eaters.  Lighten up!

So, I have a set number of views I want to get at before investing my own money into this project.  I'm brainstorming creative names that better captures the site as well as setting a writing schedule with specific subjects. 

I want to thank everyone that has visited to this point and I want you to know I am intent on improving the site and eventually evolving into a must view place for healthy eating, fitness and random thoughts.  You've endured the infantile stage of this blog and one day you can say, "I remember when that blog was not what it is now!"  Or if you're a hipster you will say, "I really liked his site before he went all corporate and Hollywood.  What a conformist."

Thank you for stopping by!

Killer Cornbread

My family enjoys eating chili - especially during the long, cold winters in Michigan.  Chili was one of those dishes that was easy to make based solely on veggies and beans (sorry Texans).  One of the sides that we typically used was cornbread but most recipes require eggs and milk. Last night I decided to adapt.

My wife has been baking muffins from a great cookbook titled Give Them Something Better.  The book is from The Seventh Day Adventist church.  The recipes often substitute applesauce as a binding agent.  I decided to use that same trick for cornbread and it worked beautifully!

The cornbread was a big hit.  It was moist and sweet and crunchy on the bottom.  It was a nice complement to spicy chili sans carne.

Ingredients

1 cup corn meal

1 cup all purpose flour (working on something better)
4 tablespoons sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup applesauce

1 tablespoon ground flax seed mixed with 1 tablespoon water (allow to stand 3-5 minutes)

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon oil divided (will try to eliminate next time)

1 cup almond milk (I used unsweetened)

Directions

Preheat oven to 450.  Set cast iron skillet on burner. Blend all dry ingredients together.  Pour in wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Pour remaining tablespoon oil into skillet and spread around bottom and sides.  Pour in mixture and place in oven.  Cook for about 20 minutes or test doneness by inserting a toothpick into center.  When it comes out clean the bread is done.

Enjoy!

Casting Your Pearls Before Swine

Where do you get your protein is probably a question I field more than any other.  A close second would be, "what about calcium?  Won't you get brittle bones?" At times questions are asked in a genuine inquisitive manner but at other times they are presented in an acerbic, condescending manner.  So, how is one to respond?

When I first began my plant-based lifestyle I was all fired up and filled with information and ready to spread the good news.  I wasn't attempting to proseltyze but share the positive changes in my sugar, cholesterol, and weight.  Not everyone was happy to hear what I had to say.  Some were but not many.

Then people began to ask questions in an accusatory tone.  I suppose asking someone where they get their protein is an okay question when the USDA and Got Milk has brainwashed them.  However, I didn't understand why they were so nasty about how they inquired.  I've had people approach me with the idea that eating a plant-based diet was borderline cultish or just plain anti-American. 

I've never judged people for how they eat.  I understand that eating is a very personal endeavor.  As people we revert to how we were raised for eating and often that evokes strong memories of when life was simpler and less stressful.  The other day I was making a large pot of vegetable stock and my wife commented, "Mmm, that reminds me of growing up."

How do I respond, then? 

I do my best to keep things as simple as possible. I don't breakout into the minutia of plant-based eating.  It took me several times through Engine 2 Diet, Eat to Live, and the China Study to even have a small amount of knowledge.  I was unlearning many things and then relearning them.  The process took some time.  Why would I expect someone to "get it" with one conversation from me?

I struggle with the nasty people.  I often want to tell them to eat their way and I'll eat mine and we see who dies of heart disease first! But I don't.  *sigh*.  I take on the responsibility of a teacher.  Repetition, repetition, repetition!  Faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing. At least they're asking, right.

I don't bash meat or meat eating.  I do my best to explain to people that processed foods, sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are just as deadly.  Understand, I am not a "true" vegan but a person that follows a plant-based diet.  We get to the same place but we're taking different modes of transportation, so to speak.

In the end then there really are no swine for me to cast my pearls.  They are people in need of knowledge, information and education.  Jesus made a great statement once: "First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear."  Changing from the stereotypical American diet to a plant-based diet is a process.  Plus, I don't have all of the answers.  There are myriad amount of bloggers, authors, and doctors spreading the news about plant-strong diets.  Maybe I simply planted or watered the seed.

Let's get busy planting and watering.

Jambalaya, Baby

Creole and cajun purists may scoff at the idea of any meal that doesn't contain copious amounts of meat.   That's okay.  I'm a firm believer in adapting recipes while enjoying the spirit of how something is prepared.  Yesterday, I tried my hand at jambalaya and it was a big hit.

Ingredients

1 quart vegetable stock
1 cup brown jasmine rice
1 small can tomato paste
1 15 oz can chopped tomatoes
1 large sweet onion chopped
1 cup sliced okra
1 bell pepper cored, seeded and chopped
2 zucchini's cut in half moons
1 yellow squash cut in half moons
4 ribs of celery sliced
4 cloves garlic crushed and minced
1/2 tsp red pepper
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1 tablespoon hot sauce
handful of fresh chopped parsley or 1 tsp dried
diced green onions as garnish

Directions

Sauté the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery (for 3-5 minutes).  While that is cooking blend the stock and tomato paste until smooth. Add the rice and cook for a minute or two and then add the stock mixture.  Bring the pot to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes, covered.  Stir occasionally.

While the rice mixture is cooking sauté the okra for about 10 minutes and then add the zucchini and squash for about 5 minutes.  Blend this into the rice mixture and stir well.  Return the lid, add the spices, and simmer for another 10 minutes.  Continue to stir every couple of minutes.

When rice is soft the dish is complete.  Generously sprinkle each serving with green onions. 

Serves about 6-8 people.  As always a garden salad is a great side dish.

This dish is vegan, vegetarian, plant-strong, and has no added oils.

Three Squares or Five Small?

Old school eating was three square meals a day. You might have even heard the adage, "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper" or something like that.  Must have been people attempting to curtail eating later in the day when our metabolism seems to slow dramatically.  Now, most people recommend eating 5 smaller meals per day.  Is there a right way or wrong way?

Dr. Joel Furhman, in his book Eat to Live, advocates the three square meals per day idea.  His thought process is that our bodies need time to digest food and if we're constantly stuffing our faces (my words not his) then our digestive tract is in constant motion.  People often interrupt the body attempting to send signals to let us know we're REALLY hungry because we never allow ourselve to actually get hungry. 

The five small meal crowd believes our bodies need constant a nutrient stream and if we eat more often we probably will eat less.  Makes sense, sort of, right? 

I've done both. I prefer the three squares per day approach however.  First of all when eating 5 small meals I was always eating and never lost a significant amount of fat. When I began the 3 squares approach I began to feel some hunger pangs - especially on days I worked out super hard.  You know what?  Feeling hunger was actually helpful.  Also, I began looking forward to the next meal and my taste buds were in full activation mode. 

Eating late at night was another bad approach for me.  I would eat later for that 5th meal and my body would be in digestion mode late at night.  I should have been sleeping soundly and at perfect rest but often was not.  When I "closed the kitchen" after dinner and stayed out of the almonds, cashews, walnuts, or hummus I rested better and was able to really "break the fast" during my morning meal.

I know there are many different perspectives on this and it's important for people to do what works best for them.  Just trying to give another option.

The Case of the Disappearing Cholesterol

Too many people in my family die of heart disease and live with heart-related issues on a daily basis.  I suppose my family is no different than most as heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States.  The sad thing is that it is a preventable disease.  Our politicians bloviate about guns while remaining reticent about the self-inflicted epidemic of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.  (Side note, I don't want the government involved I am simply want to expose its hypocrisy). 

Today, I searched back to my cholesterol results from January 2011 and my cholesterol was dangerously high. My HDL (good cholesterol) was extremely low and my LDL (bad stuff) was way too high.  The only thing that was looking borderline good was my triglycerides.  At the time I was doing what my doctor said so imagine my frustration when it only became worse!  That's when I started researching a plant-based diet.  My doctor told me the standard pablum of to eat filet mignon when eating steak, only skinless chicken breasts.  I was also supplementing with Shakeology.  The stuff  tasted phenomenal but didn't dent my cholesterol.  So I decided supplementation was a waste of time and money. 

I ordered three books from Amazon: Engine 2 Diet, China Study and Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease.  I spoke with my wife and shared my results and my aversion to going on medication without first exhausting everything in my power first.  She was onboard and has been 100% supportive from the beginning.  My nature is to research and come to my own conclusion on things.  The books arrived and I quickly began to devour them.  

Admittedly,  I didn't know how to cook.  I simply ate a lot of salads and fruit but I started.  The research seemed to be solid.  Honestly, what did any of these three men have to gain for me being plant-strong?  They weren't trying to surreptitiously move the needle for animal rights groups just trying to get people to eat healthier.  I was hooked. 

After eating a plant based diet for two months my total cholesterol decreased by 25%.  I was ecstatic but it still was too high.  I made the decision that my new way of eating was not simply a "wait and see" but a new way of life for me.  I continued down the plant strong path and become more knowledgeable in preparing delicious and healthy meals.  I never asked my family to join me.  However, some of the dishes I was preparing were better than the "meat and dairy" version.  

My next annual physical was in February 2012.  This time my cholesterol decreased an additional 29%.  In less than one year my total cholesterol went from 253 to 133!  People ask if it's difficult to maintain my plant-based intensity and honestly it is.  My vegan friends have something inside them that despises the use of animal products which is a strong ally and empowerment.  My Adventist friends have a religious reason for not eating meat.  For me however, it isn't the meat that's a problem - it's the prepackaged convenience foods (ie chips).  

Two years into plant-strong life and I am still doing well.  It is imperative for me to read up on plant-based diets.  I really enjoy Dr. Joel Furhman's writing and was recently introduced to Jeff Novick and Brendan Brazier.  I intend to order some of Novick's Fast Food books and Brazier's Thrive soon.  

My next-year goal is to have my LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides to be 60 each.  That would give me a total cholesterol of 125 (if my math is right).  Over the next 11 months I am going to be diligent about hitting that number and losing about 15 pounds as I prepare for my first spring triathlon.  I want to be fit inside and out and live a long and prosperous life. 

God bless! 

How Do You Get Protein and Calcium?

I just returned from my annual physical and had full blood work completed.  I was tested for cholesterol, sugar, calcium, protein, you name it and I was tested for it.  My doctor is still extremely pleased with my numbers and said "whatever you are doing is working."  That, "whatever I am doing is following a plant-strong diet.

I'd like for a 60-60-60 number.  I want my HDL to be 60, triglycerides to be 60 and for my LDL to be 60.  It's doable and by this time next year I will do everything in my power to get there (without medication).  According to research, total cholesterol below 150 is virtually heart-attack proof.

When I discuss a plant-based diet with people they inevitably ask, "how do you get your protein?" and "won't your bones break without dairy?"  These are probably the most common misconceptions and ignorance.  Vegetarians, vegans, and plant-strong people continue to educate and reeducate the masses on these two objections.

First of all plants have protein.  Some plants, calorie for calorie, have more protein than meat, dairy, or eggs --- without saturated fats and cholesterol.  Plus, plants have fiber and animal products do not.  My doctor tracks my protein numbers and they are doing very well.

Do we need protein to build muscle? Yes, but one can gain sufficient protein to build muscle through plants.  It is my understanding that Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, follows a plant-based and gluten-free diet.  He is pretty muscular.

What about calcium?  Well, the countries that have the most cases of broken hips, etc are also the same people that consume the most dairy.  There is a breakdown somewhere in our understanding don't you think?  Plants contain calcium.  Let's think about the animal kingdom.  Cows, where most people get their milk, stop drinking milk when they are weaned.  As do horses, elephants, gorillas --- all very powerful animals that eat plant based diets.   How do their bones remain strong without milk?

If you're considering adopting a plant based diet don't allow all of the uneducated and ignorant people persuade you out of it.  I've been following a plant based diet for 3 years and I am healthier now than I have ever been.

Super Fruits and Low Fat Insanity

The press loves to tout so-called "super foods".  They are always looking for a panacea, a silver bullet if you will to allow people to throw down greasy burgers and still not die of heart disease.  Guess what?  There isn't one so please stop insulting our intelligence. 

All fruits and vegetables are a super food in their own right. We don't need to eat cabbage soup everyday or grapefruit every breakfast.  God Almighty has given us hundreds and thousands of different types of food that work collectively to help us maintain a healthly life. 

This article (which really isn't bad) lists 6 super berries.  I get a little uneasy when writers tout the benefits of a fruit being low fat.  Really?  Isn't that one of the top few objections to vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based eating?  Number 1 is: You don't get enough protein.  Bogus.  Somewhere in the conversation people will ask, "where do you get fats?" 

Well I get them from plants but apparently that is not good because even our plants need to be low-fat or fat free! OH MY GOD! You're killing me Smalls!

Acai berries aren't going to change the world either.  Are they good for us? Sure, any fruit or veggie has a place in a well-rounded diet.  My question is this: If the acai berries has such magical properties why aren't the people of that area of the world among those that live the longest? 

Just some food for thought.

Top 50 Vegan Blogs

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a "by-the-book" vegan but follow a plant-based diet.  So, I have a lot in common with vegans but there are some that have litmus tests for how vegan someone is or is not.  Apparently, I'm not vegan enough for many. 

Anyway, I browse vegan blogs in search for new recipes and ways to bring verve and vigor to my cooking.  So far, I haven't been ostracized from reading vegan blogs :). Here is an interesting post with the top 50 vegan blogs from the Psychology of Eating. 

I'm not familiar with all of them but are with some.  I recently discovered Oh She Glows and have to say I really like it.  Angela comes across as joyful, fun, inspiring, and unassuming.  Tons of fun to read her posts. I'm surprised she was not ranked higher - IMHO she should be.

The Post Punk Kitchen is another good one.  I have a few books from the author and she is fun but in a different way. She has East Coast swagger and it is interesting to see how she blends it in with her cooking and recipes. 

Have fun reading them.  Maybe, just maybe when I grow up, become a better writer and improve my blog I can crack the top 50 someday.  Fingers crossed!

Fasting Like Daniel

Anyone that has spent time in a Christian church and attended Sunday school is familiar with the story of Daniel and the Lions Den.  It’s a fascinating story and the author of Hebrews indicates that “faith stopped the mouths of lions.”  Basically, Daniel was tossed into a pit with lions and was not eaten.  If you believe the Veggie Tale version they ordered pizza and had a slumber party.  Anyway, I digress.

Now the same people that grew up seeing Daniel on awesome, high-tech, flannel graphs and hearing about his buddies Shadrach, Meschack, and Abednego are finding other reasons to celebrate this ancient Hebrew book: a 21-day fast.

This fast is different than one that requires total elimination of food and drink.  From what I understand from Daniel 1, he ate only vegetables (also translated as food grown from seed) and drank only water.  During the fasting time he mentions that he ate no meat, drank no wine, and did not anoint himself.  Some translations state he used no lotions rather than didn’t anoint himself. This time of fasting was 21 days.  How many ladies would go 21 days without their Oil of Olay? Okay, I’ll leave that one alone.

I like the first chapter where he tests the King’s steward by having him serve them only vegetables and water. If they look worse they’ll eat the king’s unclean food.  If not, they’ll continue on their plant-based diet. 

What I don’t like about fasts such as this is the legalism that comes out in full force.  If one is fasting for a specific purpose (and believes in the power of fasting) why would they want to skirt the danger zone?  Another question I have is why anyone would want to return to eating a “non-Daniel” type diet?  It’s apparent from chapter 1 that a plant-based diet with water is ideal for our health and well-being. 

People that advocate the Daniel fast also make exceptions for pregnant women and "allow" them to eat fish or chicken to “get the protein needed”.  This odd, unfounded, and ridiculous claim seems to have permeated every area of society.  HELLO! Plants have protein.  If one is eating grains and beans they are filled with protein.  Anyway….

I like what the orignators of this fast (well I guess not the originators, that would’ve been Daniel) that this is still a spiritual discipline not a diet.  If you’re interested in the idea of fasting I recommended reading Isaiah 58. 

People, it is only 21 days.  Eat fruits, vegetables, and grains for 21 days and drink water.  It’s not complicated.  You can do it.  If you’re on prescription drugs you need to check with your medical practitioner prior to starting any type of radical change.

This is a great time to discipline your body and exlore your spirituality.  Listen for the voice of God during this time.  Pray and commune with the Holy One.  Bare your soul before the Lord of Glory.  Each day change will come and you will not be the same after 21 days.

Selah

Meatless Monday and Beyond

I like the simplicity of this article. Simple is always good. I am however going to amplify some of the content.

1. Better Health - some meals are easier to modify for those not interested in a strict vegetarian diet.  Breakfast is easy in my opinion with one caveat: you're a fruit fan.  A 2-3 pieces of fruit and a handful of walnuts is the ultimate in fast food.  Try eating a banana, apple, an orange and some walnuts and you're on the right track.  Lunch is pretty simple if you like soup (winter) or salads in the warmer months.  WARNING: Don't drench your salads with high fat/high sugar dressings.
2. More $$$ - Hamburger is now close to $5.00 per pound and a 5# bag of potatoes is about $1.99.  Bananas are about 50 cents a pound.  Beans are an inexpensive option too.  Many vegans try to be too fancy schmancy by including hard-to-find ingredients that rarely add expansive flavor or health benefits.  Stick with what can be bought in your produce section and you'll be just fine. Let's put an end to pretentious eating.
3. Greener Planet - If I can drive my SUV and get the same benefit of a Prius without having to drive one ---- I'm all in.

Chicken or the Egg

I've followed a plant-based diet for a couple of years and that one decision is the primary reason my blood lipids are well below the national average.  I attempted to "watch" what I eat and modify but that just didn't work for me.  You know, choose filet if you're eating steak, low-fat milk, low fat cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, etc, etc.  My motivation for changing my diet was I didn't want to die of heart disease.  Pretty simple, right?

My wife is trying to get on board too.  So we've cleaned our house of the majority of animal based products.  My family has been fantastic about supporting me and trying new and exotic foods.  Some are good, some are excellent and some, well we won't try again.  Having said that, now that they are living the Eat to Live concept there are questions.

Today's question: "Why don't we have eggs in the house?  I want an egg for breakfast."

Fair enough.  Granted, my children are teenagers.  They couldn't care less about the China Study, the Framingham study or any peer reviewed studies that make a clear correlation between animal products and heart disease and other fatal diseases.  They want food that tastes good and they want it NOW.

For those of you that might care, here goes.  The majority of cardiologists and other respectable doctors have a firm conviction that excess cholesterol contributes to clogged arteries.  Clogged arteries eventually result in the patient requiring angioplasty or stents.

A single egg yolk contains about 1/3 of the daily recommended amount of cholesterol.   Our bodies create cholesterol as it is a necessary element to human existence and our bodies make all we need.  We do not need to eat cholesterol and plants do not contain cholesterol.  Go to any restaurant and order the breakfast special and you will get 2 eggs (fried), 2 slices of bacon or sausage, 2 slices of toast lathered in butter and fried potatoes.  This study indicates smoking and egg yolks are about equally unhealthy.

Well what about the egg white?  Fair question.  The egg white is pretty much pure protein - animal protein.  Animal protein in many peer reviewed studies has been found to have an adverse impact on our health and well-being.  We eat more protein than we need.

Think about what an egg white is designed to do.  It is designed to nourish a an embryo to full functioning chick in a short period of time.  Why should we as humans eat something that was designed as such?  Just food for thought, so to speak.

Also, opportunity cost.  If you're eating an egg you probably will not be eating something that is better for you such as an orange, blueberries, strawberries, oats, banana.  Our bodies need the nutrients that are contained only in plant-based foods.  There are better choices than eggs and egg whites.

Will an occasional egg white or even egg put you in the ER?  Absolutely not! Unfortunately, most of us simply don't eat the "occasional" anything.  Six-egg omelette anyone?

Veggie Burgers: The Beginning

Early in venture of eating a plant based diet I used pre-made vegetarian food.  I remember buying spicy black bean burgers and giving them a stamp of approval.  The more I ate them, however, they began to taste processed and kind of like solidified oil.  Maybe it's the law of declining marginal utility or maybe they just aren't that good but I stopped buying them.  Plus, at $4.00 for a box of 4 that's pretty salty.

I began experimenting with my own version of a veggie burger.  I don't want my veg burger to taste like dead cow - but I want it to taste good.  Most of my efforts have failed miserably and end up getting deep sixed.  The good thing about making veg burgers is that the mixture can be tasted during the process and adapted without waiting until the cooked product.

Last night I got decent reviews from my family on a new burger.  If I were to rate them I would give them 3 out of 5 stars but I am really picky about how my food tastes.  Both my children ate their entire burger and didn't complain because their were serves sans cheese. 

Here is the basic recipe:

Ingredients

2/3 cup rolled oats

2/3 cup cooked and cooled quinoa

1 can rinsed and drained (very well) chick peas and then smashed

1 tablespoon hummus

1 tablespoon fresh diced parsley

2 tablespoons finely diced jalapenos

1 tsp each, chipotle powder, garlic salt, chili powder, onion powder, and coriander

Directions

Blend all ingredients together thoroughly.  Wet hands and gather a handful of mixture and roll into a ball and then flatten into a patty.  I prefer thinner patties.  Fry in a skillet until browned and cooked through.  Serve immediately and top as you like.

I will continue to work to perfect the veg burger.  There are an unlimited amount of combinations that should be tried, such as beet burgers, pecan burgers, use black beans, different herbs and spices.  These will only get better. 

Red Beans & Rice

I'm not cajun or creole and my family never served red beans & rice.  I actually didn't visit NOLA untl this past summer.  Many years ago I had a cook book from Chef Paul Prudhomme and one from Jeff Smith (The Frugal Gourmet).  Of course the former is filled with Cajun and Creole recipes and the latter has a good section of NOLA comfort food.  Recently I've created an amalgamation of the many and modified it appropriately.

Red beans and rice is traditionally served on Monday's - which was wash day.  The domestic goddess of the home was busy washing laundry and needed a dish that basically cooked itself (long before crock pots I suppose).  So the tradition was created. 

I'm making this part of my New Years Day celebration.  Not everyone enjoys black eyed peas so this will be a nice alternative.

Ingredients:

1 pound dried red beans, rinsed and sorted

1 1/2 cups chopped sweet onion

3/4 cup chopped celery

3/4 cup chopped green bell peppers

3 cloves finely chopped garlic

1 teaspoon salt (or no salt seasoning)

1/2 teaspoon each black pepper, white pepper and red pepper

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons fresh thyme

2 quarts vegetable stock 

water for soaking

Cooked brown rice (cook it in stock rather than water for better flavor)

Dash of liquid smoke

1 tsp tabasco sauce

Chopped scallions for garnish

Directions:

Rinse and soak beans for 8 hours.  Drain water and rinse beans again.  In appropriately sized stock pot saute onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery until vegetables are soft (but not mushy).  Add beans and stock and bring mixture to a boil.  Toss in all other ingredients (but not liquid smoke, tabasco and scallions).  Allow mixture to simmer for about 2 hours.  If it becomes too thick add a little water or stock and stir. 

After it has cooked for 2 hours remove some of the mixture (a few cups) and blend with an immersion blender and return to the pot.  This will make it creamier and thicker.  If you do not have an immersion blender use a potato masher - be creative! Adjust seasonings to your taste.  Every family is different.

Add liquid smoke and tabasco sauce and simmer for an additional 15-30 minutes. 

Serve in a large bowl.  Mound of rice, topped with beans, sprinkled with scallions.  Ta-da. My son and I enjoy adding hot sauce to our bowl. 

Celebrity Vegans

It's close to the end of the year and the press begins the inundation of lists: Best movie, best dressed, coolest hipster, Time person of the Year.  You know the drill.  I'm a sucker for lists too.  My favorite: 100 books every man should read (sorry ladies, athough yours is totally awesome too!).

So I started thinking about the most influential vegans and started making a mental list.  You know, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Clinton, Arian Foster (really?), Tony Gonzales, Woody Harrelson.  The list could go on and on.  I did some initial research and discovered that Tony and Arian aren't really vegans - and that's okay.

Then I realized that I am not either.  Vegan is an easy way for people to understand how I eat.  Most don't understand there are various levels of veganism.  I didn't either until after reading some blogs and reading several books.  I'm totally into eating plants because of a history of heart disease in my family and it's working for me.  Others are in it for different reasons too and I don't know their background to write a post about it. I've not figured out how to say "I eat a whole food plant based diet" and not sound like an absolute dork (in a bad way, trust me I'm not adorkable).

When I was younger I used to act as though I didn't really care what people thought of me - but I did and still do.  I live my life to the best of my ability and do my best to live by principles rather than fads.  Secretly, I'd like nothing better than to be associated with great people like the "Top 10 Celebrity Vegans" but I'm not. People really don't care about what I eat (on a grand scale) and truthfully if someone becomes a herbivore because Alicia Silvestone, Mike Tyson, or Monroe from Grimm is vegan then when or if  they "slip up" what are you going to do?

If you eat plants because of religion, good for you!  If you prefer eating plants because you find killing animals morally abhorrent - awesome.  Please don't judge me because I am not protesting, wearing hemp clothes, or still attend church on Sunday and they serve meatloaf (that I don't eat) duing a potluck. 

There is alot of room for improvement on how we eat for many different reasons.  Plus there is plenty of space for us to love each other and resist judging others.  Those of us that don't have a moral or spiritual reason are doing our best and it's difficult because we're soley going on willpower and we need your help.

Selah!

Good Luck Black Eyed Peas

From my southern tradition and background I've been taught that eating black eyed peas on New Years Day was considered good luck. Not sure if it is true but it sure is a tasty dish.

This dish should be started the night before with a good soaking of the peas.




Ingredients:

2 cups dried and sorted black eyed peas
Water
1 sweet onion coarsley chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
2-3 ribs of celery chopped
2-3 cloves garlic minced
1, 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp each black, white, and red pepper
favorite no-salt seasoning to taste
1/2 tsp liquid smoke
red hot sauce or vinegar based pepper sauce to top

Directions:
Cover beans in pot and soak overnight.  Drain and refill with fresh water.  Cover by about an inch.  Bring to a boil and then set to simmer.  If you use a timer set it for an 1 1/2 hours.  While peas are simmering add onion, garlic, red pepper, and celery and saute for 3-5 minutes.  Add mixture to peas and stir well.  Add all other ingredients except tomatoes and liquid smoke.  When timer goes off add tomatoes and liquid smoke and cook and additional 15-30 minutes or when ever peas are done to your liking.  Add water as necessary to pot to keep peas covered.

Guests can top their bowls with hot sauce of their preference. Some people enjoy eating black eyed peas over rice. 

Enjoy!